BMW is secretly building the 2018 M2 CSL prototype.

BMW recently revealed the previously secretive M5 CSL, M6 CSL, and M3 CSL prototypes with V8 engines, but the automaker had another surprise in store. Take a look at the 2018 BMW M2 CSL prototype, which did not make it to production.

With a fixed carbon fiber rear wing and roll cage, the M2 CSL prototype looks a bit like BMW's 2019 M2 CS. In fact, it predates the CS, according to a BMW-produced video showcasing the car. Engineers felt there was still room for improvement over the M2 Competition, and after developing both the CSL and CS, decided to only bring the latter to market.

Among the changes were the aforementioned rear wing, a one-off set of uprights in a "bionic" design intended to minimize the use of materials. A carbon fiber front splitter was also added, and the interior was stripped of luxury to save weight.

Power, like all M2 models, comes from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder, this time producing 420 hp. This is slightly less power than the M2 CS, which produced 444 hp. However, with more aggressive weight reduction, the M2 CSL could have been just as fast or even faster. All of the cars were big-boned. We chose the standard M2 as Motor Authority's "Best Car To Buy 2017," and BMW M Experience driving instructor Ede Weyretter demonstrates the M2 CSL's capabilities with some clever drifts in the video in several skillful drifts.

BMW recently teased the new M2, which is scheduled to debut in October and will be available as a 2023 model. Based on the redesigned 2 Series coupe unveiled last year, the upcoming M2 will be powered by a detuned version of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder from the current M3 and M4, with a choice of 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. the M3/M4 will not feature all-wheel drive, and rear wheel drive simplicity will be maintained.

BMW is also reviving the CSL moniker, albeit only for the larger M4 coupe for now, and the second half of the video focuses on that car: the 2023 BMW M4 CSL will be available in May with 543 hp (up 40 hp), a lighter and stiffer chassis, and A new BMW lap record at the Nürburgring in a trophy case, it made headlines; will BMW follow this up with a production M2 CSL? We have our fingers (and toes) crossed.